JP7220016B2 - Apparatus and method for manufacturing a carrier member with a plurality of fiber bundles - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing a carrier element (substrate) (traegerteil) with a plurality of fiber bundles. In particular, the carrier member may be a member of lightweight construction, for example a carrier member made of foam material. The provided fiber bundles are impregnated with a plastics material, eg a resin, thereby obtaining a composite material.

Such a carrier member with fiber bundles is known from US Pat. For manufacturing, holes are first made in the carrier member and the fiber slivers are subsequently drawn through the holes. A needle is used for this purpose. Such methods are also known from US Pat.

US Pat. No. 6,300,000 describes a sewing device for drawing such slivers into a carrier member. This sewing device comprises, in particular, needles having eyes which can be opened and closed at one point by means of a movable needle portion.

US Pat. No. 5,300,009 relates to an apparatus and method for providing reinforcing skein loops that can be drawn through a carrier member. For this purpose, a profile body is provided with clamps for fixing the fiber skein. The fiber skein, which is fixed to the free end of the profile body and released away therefrom, is formed into a loop by means of a slide and cut to the desired length by means of a cutting device after the loop has been formed. The loop can then be drawn through the carrier member with a needle.

A device and method for drawing a loop through a carrier member is described in US Pat. There, the skeins are fed by rollers of a receiving device. Subsequently, the receiving device is moved by the slide linearly and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the skein up to the gap of the receiving device located in the center of the skein between its free end and the cutting device. The needle moves through the carrier member into the gap and catches the skein and draws it through the carrier member.

A device in which a skein is arranged around a needle pierced through a carrier member by a rotatable device is described in US Pat. The needle can then be withdrawn and pulled through the carrier member with the loop formed. Similar devices for inserting skeins of skeins into needle hooks of needles are known, for example, from US Pat.

US Pat. No. 6,300,007 describes a method for distributing reinforcing material in the form of glass fibers during the manufacture of plastic parts. In that case, the roving 17 is carried in a stream of pressurized air, its individual ends are melted, and the melted individual fibers are blown against the perforated sheet metal. On the other side of the perforated sheet metal, air is drawn in and the fibers stick to the perforated sheet metal. A plastic coating can then be applied. A similar method is also described in US Pat.

US Pat. No. 6,300,003 describes feeding a fiber strip to a gripper row of calender discs of a textile processing machine for processing the fiber strip. By guiding the air, the fiber strip can be passed through the calender gap and subsequently fed to the calender discs to grip the yarn fiber strip. In the method known from DE 10 2005 000 003 A1 roving is conveyed onto a conveyor belt and held on the conveyor belt under vacuum.

DE 10 2005 024 408 A1 WO2014/086786 DE 102014015976 A1 German Patent No. 102006056570 WO2016/059110 DE 102007055684 A1 DE 10 2009 050 904 A1 DE 102007033869 A1 DE 102013111794 A1 DE 2025915 A1 DE-A-2307490 EP 0736618 DE 102015110855 A1

In view of the cited prior art, it is believed that the object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for making the production of carrier members with a plurality of fiber bundles more efficient.

This object is solved by a device with the features of claim 1 and a method with the features of claim 17 .

The apparatus according to the present invention comprises a slivers transport configured to remove and move at least one skein of skeins from stock. There is at least one feed channel, in each of which a slivers transport is possible to transport one skein. The device further comprises at least one suction channel in fluid connection with the suction portion. The suction part can create an airflow in at least one of its suction channels, which is directed specifically away from the end of the suction channel opposite the suction part.

The at least one suction channel is preferably linearly movable in the longitudinal direction between an initial position and a working position. In the initial position, at least one suction channel is arranged in the working area of the device. In the initial position, each suction channel is fluidly connected with one corresponding assigned supply channel. When the airflow is generated in the initial position, a negative pressure is generated in the feed channel and sucks the ends of the skeins present in the feed channel. In this initial position, a predetermined length of slivers can be transported by the slivers transport extending into the suction channel.

The at least one suction channel is movable from the working area to the working position. In the working position they are arranged at a distance to their assigned supply channel. Airflow is maintained in this working position. In doing so, the ends of the slivers present in the working position are subjected to suction and extend outside the suction channel and the supply channel to at least a freely accessible section over the working area.

The device further comprises a needle holder in which at least one needle is arranged. Each needle has a needle hook. A needle holder allows at least one of its needles to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. This movement allows each needle to engage its assigned skein in the working area, and movement of the needles can move the skein through the carrier member in a looped manner. Each needle moves between retracted and retracted positions along its longitudinal axis. Preferably, there are multiple needles and all longitudinal axes lie in the same common plane.

This device allows multiple needles to be placed in the needle holder at short distances. At a corresponding distance, the skeins can be arranged adjacent to each other within the working area. Locating and feeding or transporting each skein requires low transverse space in the longitudinal direction. Depending on the size of the carrier member and the desired length of the fiber bundles introduced into the carrier member, very high fiber bundle densities can be very efficiently formed in the carrier member.

Longitudinal direction means the direction in which a straight line through the working area extending between the mutually facing openings of the at least one supply channel and the respectively assigned suction channel extends. The at least one skein is longitudinally oriented in the working area between the at least one supply channel and the respectively assigned suction channel, unless engaged by a longitudinally transverse needle or guiding device.

The device comprises individual drives or individual parts of the device, in particular a needle holder, a suction part, a drive for moving at least one suction channel, a transport and optionally additional drives or parts. A controller may be provided for controlling. This controller is specifically configured to implement the described method.

Preferably, the device comprises a positioning portion. This positioning part is designed to move or position the carrier member in particular steps in the transport direction. The transport direction is oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction.

In doing so, the positioning portion is conveniently located between the working area and the needle holder. Therefore, the needle holder can be arranged outside the working area and is on the opposite side of the working area as seen from the positioning part. In this configuration, the fiber skeins are pulled through the carrier member by respective needles. Alternatively, it is also possible to arrange needle holders in the working area and push at least one skein with each needle through the carrier member.

In a preferred embodiment, the sliver transport has, for example, a roller arrangement with at least two rollers. By driving one or both rollers, at least one skein can be transported by a defined length. The slivers conveying unit can, for example, detect the rotational position of the rollers or parts rotatably connected thereto and determine therefrom the respective conveyed length of the slivers.

Advantageously, a guide section with a guide device is provided. A guide device is arranged in the working area. The guiding device comprises a separate guiding channel for each skein of slivers provided. In that way, each one skein of slivers can be guided through the guide path assigned for guiding.

Preferably, at least one suction channel extends into its initial position through one guide passage of the guide. The ends of the slivers are fed into the suction channel and, after the withdrawal movement of the suction channel into the working position, each part of the slivers is threaded through the guide channel. With this guide device it is possible to move or position the skein transversely to its longitudinal direction within the working area.

Advantageously, the guide device comprises two guide bodies. The two guide bodies are arranged at a distance from each other in the area of the guide channel with a gap. This gap separates the guide passages in two aligned guide holes. Each guide hole extends longitudinally through one of the two guide bodies. The gaps may be arranged and configured to receive correspondingly assigned free ends of needles for capturing respective skeins on the needle hooks. For example, the guide bodies can be formed in one piece and each form a plate-like portion. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one guide channel is always completely closed in the circumferential direction, and the feeding of the skein there is carried out by means of at least one suction channel.

Advantageously, the guide is arranged to move the guide device along a predetermined path. This path extends parallel to a plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The path is configured in particular as a closed, at least partially curvilinear path. For example, the path may be any circular and/or elliptical and/or another at least partially curvilinear shape. By moving this guide device along the path, the at least one skein is also moved transversely to the longitudinal direction and the engagement of each needle in the skein, in particular the needle of each assigned needle. Capturing the at least one skein by the hook can be facilitated.

In a preferred embodiment, the needle, in its withdrawn or withdrawn position, will intersect a longitudinally extending passageway defined by the path traveled by the respectively assigned predetermined guiding passageway of the guiding device. A needle passes through the passageway, the cross-section of which is defined by the path. Within this passage, positive engagement of the needle with the skein can take place. Subsequent movement of the guide device relative to the needle along the path guides the skein in a kink or curve around the needle or needle hook.

In preferred embodiments, the device further comprises a support. The support has a support piece positioned in the work area and is configured to move the support piece between a rest position and a support position. The support part has at least one support opening, the number of support openings corresponding to the number of supply channels and the number of suction channels or the number of skeins. In the initial position, the at least one suction channel preferably extends through one respectively assigned support opening. This allows threading of the skein through the respective support opening, as well as through the guide channel, once the suction channel has been moved into its working position outside the working area.

The plane in which the longitudinal axes of the needles respectively assigned to the skeins lie, is arranged approximately centrally between the free end of the suction channel in the working position and the support opening of the support in the support position. It's convenient. By doing so, it is possible to form slivers loops having legs of substantially equal length.

Furthermore, while the needle moves through the carrier member with the skein, the position of the guide passage is preferably in a path in which the guide passage is substantially arranged in the extension of the longitudinal axis of the needle. With such an arrangement, it is possible to avoid that the skein of the skein will bite into the material of the carrier member during movement through the carrier member, thus enlarging the hole or opening through the carrier member.

In another preferred embodiment, a first cut is provided adjacent to the feed channel. This first cut allows the at least one skein to be cut adjacent to the opening of the feed channel. It is also preferred if a second cut is present. A second cutting portion extends through the carrier member and is configured to cut a loop of the fiber bundle formed on one side of the carrier member.

A method of manufacturing a carrier member with a plurality of fiber bundles passing through the carrier member proceeds as follows.

First, at least one suction channel is moved into the working area and fluidly connected with each assigned supply channel. An airflow is then generated by the at least one suction channel and the suction portion of the supply channel fluidly connected thereto. A portion of at least one skein having a defined length is removed from the stock and conveyed into each feed channel and further into each suction channel by means of the sliver conveyer. At least one of the skeins is kept away from the slivers carrier by air currents caused by suction and is in a so-called taut state.

At least one suction channel is then moved to a working position outside the working area. At least one skein is thus at least partially accessible in the working area. In the working position of the suction channel, airflow is maintained for stretching the at least one skein.

A needle holder moves at least one needle between a retracted position and an extended position. During this movement the needle moves twice through the carrier member. Between these two movements, the needle catches a pre-assigned skein at one position in the working area and moves it through the carrier member, thus forming a loop. The cutting of the skein adjacent to the feed channel is preferably performed before the skein is moved through the carrier member.

Advantageous embodiments of the device and method are described in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings. Preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The figure is as follows.

1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus during manufacture of a carrier member with a plurality of fiber bundles; FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus during manufacture of a carrier member with a plurality of fiber bundles; FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus during manufacture of a carrier member with a plurality of fiber bundles; FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus during manufacture of a carrier member with a plurality of fiber bundles; FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus during manufacture of a carrier member with a plurality of fiber bundles; FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus during manufacture of a carrier member with a plurality of fiber bundles; FIG. Figure 7 is a schematic representation of loop formation after a fiber bundle has been drawn through a carrier member by the apparatus shown in Figures 1-6; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of cutting the loop formed in Figure 7; Fig. 7 is an exemplary view showing the position of the guide device of the device shown in each of Figs. 1-6 during movement along a path for at least one needle of the device; Fig. 7 is an exemplary view showing the position of the guide device of the device shown in each of Figs. 1-6 during movement along a path for at least one needle of the device; 1 is a schematic partial view of a carrier member with a plurality of fiber slivers, seen from above; FIG. Figure 12 is a view of the carrier member of Figure 11 seen from the side indicated by arrow XII; 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the guide and support devices of the device; FIG.

In FIGS. 1 to 6 an embodiment of an apparatus 20 for manufacturing a carrier member 21 with a plurality of slivers 22 is shown schematically in block diagram form. The slivers 22 extend beyond the upper and lower sides of the carrier member 21 as both ends thereof may protrude from the carrier member 21 . The direction in which the fiber bundles 22 extend through the carrier member 21 may be oriented orthogonally and/or obliquely to the upper and/or lower sides of the carrier member. In doing so, the fiber bundles 22 can be oriented parallel to each other or run in different directions. For example, a group having a plurality of slivers 22 can be formed, with slivers 22 of different groups extending in different directions and slivers within the same group oriented parallel.

In an embodiment, the carrier members 21 are plate-shaped, which are shown schematically in FIGS. 11 and 12 . The carrier member 21 provided with this fiber bundle 22 is supplied as a semi-finished product for the production of the composite material. The slivers 22 are preferably made from pieces of roving, for example the slivers 22 passing through the carrier member 21 may be impregnated or impregnated with plastic or resin. The upper and/or lower side of the carrier member 21 may be provided with additional fiber bundles or fiber mats and impregnated with resin or plastic in order to obtain a fiber-reinforced composite material. 11 and 12, the two end regions of the fiber slivers 22 through the carrier member 21 extend from the carrier member and can be provided on the upper side or the lower side of the carrier member 21 respectively. can be connected by joining the members together.

According to an embodiment, the fiber slivers are arranged in a matrix on the carrier member and have a distance x in one spatial direction and a distance y perpendicular thereto in another spatial direction. The distances x and y may have equal or different values.

The carrier member 21 is a particularly lightweight construction board, for example a board of foam material.

The main structural groups of the device 20 are explained on the basis of FIG. The device 20 comprises a stock 25 for at least one skein 26 of fibers. Each skein 26 is formed, for example, by roving a plurality of filaments. From this at least one skein 26 , the slivers 22 are separated by the device 20 and pushed or drawn into the carrier member 21 .

The skein conveyer 27 is configured to remove at least one skein 26 from the stock 25 and convey each skein 26 in a separate feed channel 28 . Each supply channel 28 may be formed by a tube. A first end 29 of this feed channel 28 is assigned to the sliver conveying section 27 , while the opposite, second end 30 of the feed channel 28 is assigned to the working area 31 of the device 20 . In an embodiment, the sliver transporter 27 has a controllable first drive 32 . A first drive 32 drives a roller arrangement having at least two rollers 33 . At least one skein 26 is held in pressure or frictional engagement between two rollers and conveyed through a first end 29 to a feed channel 28 . In an embodiment, the slivers conveying section 27 is arranged to convey all the skeins 26 placed thereon.

Device 20 comprises at least one suction channel 37 . The number of supply channels 28 and the number of suction channels 37 are equal and correspond to the number of skeins 26 to be conveyed. At least one suction channel 37 has a first end 38 assigned to each supply channel 28 and an opposite second end 39 . Second ends 39 of the at least one suction channel 37 are each fluidly connected to a suction portion 40 . The suction portion 40 is configured to generate an airflow L within the at least one suction channel 37 that flows from the first end 38 to the second end 39 respectively.

A second drive 41 makes it possible to move the at least one suction channel 37 between an initial position I (shown in FIG. 1) and a working position II (shown in FIGS. 2-6), according to an embodiment For example, it can be moved linearly in the longitudinal direction R. In the initial position I, the at least one suction channel 37 is fluidly coupled with the respective assigned supply channel 28 and the suction part 40 creates a negative pressure in the supply channel 28 . In other words, in the initial position I, an airflow L can be generated through at least one supply channel 28 and at least one suction channel 37 fluidly coupled thereto. At least one suction channel 37 extends into the working area 31 in the initial position I, as shown in FIG. Thereby, the first end 38 of each suction channel 37 abuts the second end 30 of the assigned supply channel 28 or is arranged to face it at a small distance.

In working position II this at least one suction channel 37 is arranged outside the working area 31 . The second ends 30 of the at least one supply channel 28 and the respectively assigned first ends 38 of the suction channels 37 are arranged opposite each other at a distance in the longitudinal direction R on both sides of the working area 31. (Compare Figures 2-6). When the at least one suction channel 37 has been moved to the initial position I, the definition of the end 26a of the at least one skein 26 to the at least one suction channel 37 through the at least one supply channel 28 by the sliver transport 27 length can be conveyed. This end 26a is shown in broken lines in FIG. The transport of the ends 26 a of the skeins 26 to the respective suction channels 37 is supported by the airflow L generated by the suction section 40 . As soon as the sliver carrier 27 has conveyed a defined length into the suction channel 37, the sliver carrier 27 is stopped and the further supply of at least one skein 26 is stopped. At least one suction channel 37 can be moved to the working position II while maintaining the airflow L between each supply channel 28 and each suction channel 37 which now extends longitudinally R through the working area 31. , the ends 26a of the skeins 26 are at least partially freely accessible. At that time, the airflow L stretches the end portion 26a of each fiber bundle skein 26 sufficiently and well. In the working position II, a portion of the ends 26a extends into the respectively assigned suction channel 37 (FIG. 2). To speed up the progress, the movement of the suction channel 37 in the working position II can already be started during the transport of the sliver transport 27 . With this approach, the airflow can always carry the end of the skein 26a to the stretching position, as long as it is ensured that a sufficient length of the skein 26 is placed in the suction channel 37 .

A positioning portion 45 is provided near the work area 31 . The positioning portion 45 is configured to position the carrier member 21 by moving the carrier member 21 step by step in the transport direction T extending parallel to the longitudinal direction R. As shown in FIG. The detailed construction of the positioning part 45 depends, for example, on whether the carrier member 21 is a flexible plate or a flexible bendable carrier member 21, such as a two-dimensional fabric, mat or web. It can be changed as appropriate.

A needle holder 52 is provided on the carrier member 21 opposite the working area 31 . This needle holder 52 comprises at least one needle 53 . The number of needles 53 corresponds to the number of skeins 26 placed. One needle 53 is assigned to each skein 26 . In the embodiment, each needle 53 extends along its longitudinal axis A and is provided with a needle hook 54 which engages an assigned end 26a of each skein 26, with the needle 53 The end 26a can be held and pulled through the carrier member 21 . The longitudinal axis A of each needle 53 extends through the working area 31 and is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the transport direction T or the longitudinal direction R according to the embodiment.

The needle holder 52 allows the at least one needle 53 to be moved along its longitudinal axis A between a retracted position III (Fig. 1) and a withdrawn position IV (Fig. 3). In the withdrawn position IV, needle hook 54 of needle 53 is located in working area 31 . In the retracted position III, the needle is completely outside the working area 31 and does not extend through or into the carrier member 21 . During movement from retracted position III to retracted position IV, the tip of needle 53 penetrates through carrier member 21 and advances until reaching retracted position IV in working area 31 . During the movement from withdrawal position IV back to withdrawal position III, the end 26a of the skein 26 is drawn through the hole in the carrier member 21 formed by the needle 53 being pierced.

9 and 10 it is clear that the longitudinal axis A of each needle 53 is inclined in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction R with respect to the transverse direction Q by an inclination angle α. The tilt angle α can range, for example, from 15 degrees to 90 degrees. Preferably it is in the range of 30 to 60 degrees.

The device 20 further comprises a guide 58 with a guide device 59 arranged in the working area 31 . The guide device 59 has a guide passage 60 in which the end 26 a extends in the working area 31 . The guide device 59 is movable along a path B (FIGS. 9, 10, 13) parallel to a plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction R. FIG. In doing so, the end portion 26a can be deflected (deflected) within the working area 31 transversely to its original direction, which extends substantially linearly in the longitudinal direction R (FIG. 3). .

In the exemplary embodiment described here, guide device 59 is formed by two guide bodies 61 . The guide bodies 61 are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction R, thereby forming a gap 62 . A gap 62 separates at least one guide passage 60 in two guide holes 63 . One of the two guide holes 63 of the common guide passage 60 is provided in each guide body 61 . The guide holes 63 of the guide passage 60 are aligned in the longitudinal direction R. The two guide bodies 61 are arranged so as not to move relative to each other. During movement along path B, guides 61 move synchronously with each other. FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the configuration of the guide body 61 of the guide device 59. As shown in FIG. The guide body 61 can be thin in the longitudinal direction R like a plate. In this embodiment, each guide 61 is formed by a bracket-like plate having a middle leg and two side legs extending obliquely thereto, and at least one guide hole 63 is present in the middle leg. Each guide 61 may be supported for movement along path B by side legs.

The dimension of the gap 62 in the longitudinal direction R is large enough to allow at least one needle 53 to be introduced into the gap 62 . Thus, the longitudinal axis A of each needle 53 preferably extends in a plane extending about gap 62 (FIGS. 1-6).

In the preferred embodiment described herein, device 20 includes support 67 . The support 67 has a support component 68 arranged in the working area 31 . At least one support opening 69 extends through the support component 68 . The number of support openings 69 corresponds to the number of skeins 26 provided. The support 67 is arranged to move the support part 68 between the rest position V and the support position VI and, according to the embodiment, to pivot about the pivot axis S. A pivot axis S extends in a transverse direction Q perpendicular to the longitudinal direction R. 1 to 6, the transverse direction Q extends perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. If there are a plurality of skeins 26 and therefore a plurality of supply channels 28, suction channels 37, needles 53, guide passages 60 and support openings 69, these are arranged next to each other in the transverse direction Q ( Figure 13). Due to this configuration of the device 20, the distance in the transverse direction Q between the skein 26 and the needle 53 can be reduced. By doing so, the density of the fiber bundles 22 in the carrier member 21 can be increased. The transverse direction Q and at least one longitudinal axis A of the at least one needle 53 extend in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction R, parallel to the movement of the guide device 59 along the path B.

The support component 68 is movable between a rest position V (FIGS. 1, 6 and 13) and a support position VI (FIGS. 2-5 and 13). The support part 68 is arranged in the working area 31 between the guide device 59 and the at least one feed channel 28 in the example. In the rest position V the support part 68 is arranged closer to the at least one supply channel 28 than in the support position VI. In the support position VI at least one longitudinal axis A of the at least one needle 53 extends and a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction R is arranged approximately centrally between the support part 68 and the at least one suction channel 37 . be done. By doing so, the formation of a symmetrical loop is improved when the end 26a is captured by the at least one needle 53, and the length of the two legs of the fiber bundle 22 drawn through the carrier member 21 is substantially be equal. In the rest position V, at least one support opening 69 is aligned with openings of at least one assigned supply channel 28 and at least one assigned suction channel 37 (FIGS. 1 and 6). The support part 68 is arranged obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction R in the support position VI by pivoting. The at least one support opening 69 is preferably dimensioned such that the end 26a of the assigned skein 26 can extend linearly from the supply channel 28 through the support opening 69 to the suction channel 37. .

A first cut 73 is positioned adjacent the second end 30 of the at least one feed channel 28 . The first cutting part 73 has at least one blade 74 movable perpendicular to the longitudinal direction R for cutting the at least one skein 26 . On the side of the feed channel 28 opposite the blade 74 a counter tool 75 of at least one cutting portion 73 is arranged to cooperate with the blade 74 .

Additionally, device 20 includes a second cutting portion 76 . The second cutting portion 76 is arranged in the area of the positioning portion 45 . It is located on the opposite side of the positioning part 45 from the working area 31 . This second cutting section 76 , like the first cutting section 73 , comprises a movable blade 74 and a counter tool 75 cooperating with the movable blade 74 . According to an embodiment, the blade 74 of the second cutting portion 76 is movable in the longitudinal direction R. The at least one blade 74 of the second cutting portion 76 and the counter tool 75 are arranged opposite each other with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the associated needle 53 .

Also shown in FIG. 1 is the controller 80 of the device 20 . This control device 80 is arranged to control the different parts and drives of the device 20 in coordination with each other in order to operate the device 20 implementing the method. For this purpose, respective control signals are sent to the component and the drive. According to an embodiment, controller 80 transmits the following control signals.
- a first control signal S1 for the first drive 32 of the sliver transporter 27;
- a second control signal S2 for the suction unit 40;
- a third control signal S3 for the second drive 41 for moving the at least one suction channel 39;
- a fourth control signal S4 and/or a fifth control signal S5 for positioning the carrier member 21 through the positioning portion 45;
a sixth control signal S6 for the needle holder 52 for moving the at least one needle 53 along its longitudinal axis A between the retracted position III and the retracted position IV;
- a seventh control signal S7 for the guide 58 to move the guide device 59 along the path B;
- an eighth control signal S8 for the support 67 for moving the at least one support part 68 between the rest position V and the support position VI;
- a ninth control signal S9 for activating the first disconnection 73;
- a tenth control signal S10 for activating the second disconnect 76;

Controller 80 and respective controls are only shown in FIG. 1 and not shown in FIGS. 2-6 for clarity.

In order to carry out the method for manufacturing a carrier member 21 with a plurality of slivers 22, the device 20 described above operates as follows.

The delivery device 45 positions the carrier member 21 at the desired position relative to the at least one needle 53 so that the needle 53 penetrates the carrier member 21 at the desired position. At least one suction channel 37 is placed in its initial position I and an airflow L is generated through the suction portion 40 . The sliver transporter 27 transports a defined length of the end 26a of at least one sliver skein 26 through each supply channel 28 to a suction channel 37 fluidly connected to each supply channel 28. works. This transport is supported by the air flow L through the supply channel 28 and the suction channel 37 located in the initial position I, such that the end 26a extends substantially in the longitudinal direction R.

Subsequently, the at least one suction channel 37 is moved out of the working area 31 and away from the at least one supply channel 28, while maintaining the generation of the airflow L, until the working position II is reached (FIG. 2). By doing so, at least a portion of the end portion 26 a is exposed to the working area 31 . Part of the end 26a is in the suction tube 37 and also extends into the working position II of the at least one suction tube 37 so that the generation of the airflow L is maintained. Further transport of the at least one skein 26 is prevented by stopping the sliver transporter 27 . The free end of the edge 26a is sucked by the suction force, ie the air flow L, and this edge 26a remains under some tensile stress during further processing.

The needle holder 52 moves the at least one needle 53 out of the retracted position III so that the at least one needle 53 penetrates the carrier member 21 and reaches the working area 31 (FIG. 2). Guide device 59 is moved along path B after or before at least one needle 53 has fully extended along its respective longitudinal axis A and therefore reached withdrawal position IV. Movement along the path is shown schematically in FIGS. 9 and 10 based on one of the two guide bodies 61. FIG.

Path B is a closed path and may, for example, be elliptical, oval, circular or extend at least partially curved. At least one needle 53 is provided with a needle hook 54 in the gap 62 between the two guide bodies 61 . In the transfer position U of the path B, the needle hook 54 is positioned within a passageway extending in the longitudinal direction R, the cross-section of which is defined by the path B of the guide hole 63 . The portion of the end 26a that extends between the guide holes 63 through the gap 62 moves along the path B and contacts the corresponding needle 53 assigned at the transfer position U. At this point, the needle hook 54 is positioned within the passageway, ie, at the transfer position U (dotted line in FIG. 9). Starting at the transfer position U, the path B runs obliquely or transversely away from the longitudinal axis A of each needle 53 . In doing so, the portion of the end 26a extending through the gap 62 is specifically guided around the needle 53 and forms two legs 26b each extending from the needle 53 to one of the guide holes (FIGS. 4 and 5). 5). The legs 26b can also be said to be arranged in a U-shape or a V-shape around the needle 53, forming an acute angle. By doing so, the end 26a can be securely caught or held by the needle hook 54. FIG. The needle holder 52 makes a withdrawal movement from the withdrawal position IV in accordance with the position of the guide device or guide body 61 along the path B (FIG. 9). Before or at the beginning of the retraction movement of the at least one needle 53 from the withdrawal position IV, the support part 68 moves to its support position VI (FIG. 3).

The retraction movement of the at least one needle 53 continues while the guiding device 59 moves further along the path B. When the needle hook 54 reaches the carrier member 21 and draws the end 26a of the fiber bundle skein 26 into the carrier member 21, the guide passage 60 or guide hole 63 extends substantially longitudinally of the path B when viewed from the longitudinal direction R. It is positioned in the extension of axis A (Fig. 10). A straight line connecting the ends of the legs 26b abutting the guide holes 63 is positioned within the tolerance or angle range W around the crossing position K at the time when the needle hook 54 or the end 26a of the fiber bundle skein 26 penetrates the carrier member 21. (Fig. 10). The intersection point K is the location of the passageway defined by the path B at which the longitudinal axis A intersects the passageway and this intersection point is preferably used as the intersection point K further away from the carrier member 21 or the needle 53. . Ideally, the guide passage 60 or guide hole 63 is located at the intersection point K when the needle hook 54 or the end 26 a of the skein 26 penetrates the carrier member 21 . The two legs 26b of the end portion 26a then extend with respect to a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction Q, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the needle 53 (FIG. 10). In doing so, it is avoided that the leg of the end portion 26a is cut and thus the hole formed in the carrier member 21 by the needle 53 is enlarged. As long as the guide passage 60 or guide hole 63 is within the tolerance or angular range W of the path B, the deflection of the extension of the leg 26b of the end 26a with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the needle 53 will be sufficiently small to allow the skein 26 to Pulling the leg of the end portion 26a is facilitated. The tolerance or angular range W may have a maximum value of 10, 15 or 20 degrees in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction R, starting from the position where the needle 53 emerges from the carrier member 21 . This tolerance or angular range W may extend symmetrically or asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis A about the intersection point K.

At the beginning or during the retraction movement of the at least one needle 53 from the withdrawal position IV to the withdrawal position III, the first cutting portion 73 is actuated to cut the second end 30 of the at least one supply channel 28. The end portions 26a of adjacent fiber bundle skeins 26 are cut. The cut is shown schematically in FIG. 5 after needle hook 54 has penetrated carrier member 21 . Once this position is reached, the retraction movement of the needle 53 can be stopped and the needle 53 initially stays in this position, which is an intermediate position. In doing so, it is ensured that in particular the legs 26b of the skeins 26 of equal length are held or fixed to the carrier member. In one embodiment, the cutting of the skein 26 by the first cutting section 73 takes place only after the needle has reached the intermediate position. The length of the leg 26b is then maintained while the needle 53 is continuously moved from the intermediate position to the retracted position III. Alternatively, cutting can occur earlier in the retraction movement of the at least one needle 53 .

During the movement of the needle 53 from the intermediate withdrawal position IV, a relative movement of the end 26a of the skein 26 with respect to the needle hook 54 in the direction of its extension occurs. By doing so, the contact position along the edge 26a between the edge 26a of the skein 26 and the needle hook 54 is shifted. In one embodiment, this relative movement can be avoided due to protection of the skein 26 . This is because the first drive 32 is actuated by the first control signal S1 and during the movement of the needle 53 from the intermediate withdrawal position IV the additional length of the end 26a required for loop formation is increased. is transported. The additional length required can be equal to the distance that the needle hook 54 moves from the withdrawn position IV in the intermediate position.

Figure 6 shows how the severed end 26a or the two legs 26b are drawn through the carrier member 21 with the loop formed. After forming the loop, the second cutting station 76 is actuated to cut the loop and the two legs 26b of the end portion 26a are drawn together through the carrier member 21 to form the fiber bundle 22. FIG. This situation is schematically indicated in FIG. 6 by the arrow on the blade 74 of the second cut 76 .

7 and 8, the preferred progress during cutting the loop formed between the legs 26b by the second cut 76 is described. After the needle holder 52 has fully withdrawn the at least one needle 53 through the carrier member 21, the leg 26b is severed. During actuation of the second cutting section 76, the blade 74 initially pushes the two legs 26b of the end portion 26a transversely toward the counter-tool 75, with the two legs 26b extending between the blade 74 and the counter-tool 75. (Fig. 8).

In the region of the second cut 76, a suction device 81 may be provided, as shown schematically in FIGS. The loop cut by the second cutting section 76 is sucked and removed by the suction device 81 .

The present invention relates to an apparatus 20 and method for manufacturing a carrier member 21 comprising a plurality of fiber bundles 22. FIG. At least one skein 26 is removed from the stock 25 by a slivers conveyer 27 and conveyed to the respective assigned feed channel 28 . The suction channels 37 are assigned in the initial position I to the respective fluidly connected supply channels 28 . By means of the suction part 40 an air flow L is generated in the suction channel 37 remote from the supply channel 28 and the end 26a of the at least one fiber bundle skein 26 is conveyed in the suction channel with suction support. Movement of the at least one suction channel 37 in the working position II exposes at least part of the end 26 a of the at least one skein 26 in the working area 31 of the device 20 . A needle holder 52 with at least one needle 53 is capable of capturing at least one end 26a in the working area 31 and pushing its end through the carrier member 21 while the at least one needle 53 moves through the carrier member 21. Part 26a can be pulled or pushed.

20 device 21 carrier member 22 skein composite material 25 stock 26 skein 26a end of skein 26b end leg 27 skein conveying 28 supply channel 29 first end of supply channel 30 supply second end of channel 31 working area 32 first drive 33 roller 37 suction channel 38 first end of suction channel 39 second end of suction channel 40 suction 41 second drive 45 positioning 52 needle Holder 53 Needle 54 Needle hook 58 Guide part 59 Guide device 60 Guide passage 61 Guide body 62 Gap 63 Guide hole 67 Support part 68 Support part 69 Support opening 73 First cutting part 74 Blade 75 Counter tool 76 Second cutting Part 80 Control device 81 Suction device I Initial position II Working position III Retracted position IV Retracted position V Rest position VI Support position α Tilt angle A Needle longitudinal axis B Path K Crossing position L Airflow Q Transverse direction R Longitudinal direction S Pivot axis S1 First control signal S2 Second control signal S3 Third control signal S4 Fourth control signal S5 Fifth control signal S6 Sixth control signal S7 Seventh control signal S8 Eighth control signal S9 9 control signal S10 tenth control signal T conveying direction U transfer position W tolerance or angular range x distance y of the fiber bundle in a spatial direction distance of the fiber bundle in another spatial direction

Claims (16)

A device (20) for manufacturing a carrier member (21) comprising a plurality of fiber bundles (22), comprising:
a slivers conveyer (27) configured to remove at least one skein of slivers (26) from the stock (25) and convey it to each assigned corresponding feed channel (28);
at least one suction channel (37) movable between an initial position (I) and a working position (II), each said suction channel (37) being arranged in a working area (31) and said each fluidly connected to said supply channel (28) in initial position (I), remote from said supply channel (28) and located outside said working area (31) in working position (II). at least one said suction channel (37),
said fluidly connected to said at least one suction channel (37) and configured to generate an airflow (L) in said at least one suction channel (37) and allocated by supporting said airflow (L); inserting an end (26a) of at least one said skein (26) from a supply channel (28) and at least one said skein present in said suction channel (37) in said working position (II); a suction portion (40) applying suction to said end (26a) of (26);
At least one needle (53), each provided with a needle hook (54), arranged in a needle holder (52), said needle holder (52) forcing said at least one needle (53) in a retracted position ( III) and a withdrawn position (IV), exposed in said working position (II) of said suction channel (37) in said working area (31) and extending in longitudinal direction (R). so as to engage said skein (26) with said needle hook (54) of each said needle (53) respectively assigned and move it through said carrier member (21) by means of said needle (53). said at least one needle (53) configured;
A device comprising 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a positioning part (45) is provided and arranged to move and/or position the carrier member (21) in the transport direction (T). 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the positioning portion (45) is arranged between the working area (31) and the needle holder (52). Said slivers conveying part (27) passes a predetermined length of at least one said skein of skeins (26) through said supply channel (28) said 4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, arranged to transport said at least one suction tube (37) to said initial position (I) within each suction channel (37). There is a guide (58) with a guide device (59) arranged in the working area (31) for guiding at least one said end (26a) of at least one said skein (26). 5. According to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said guide device (59) comprises a separate guide channel (60) for each end (26a) of at least one said skein (26). device. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein at least one said suction channel (37), in its initial position (I), extends through said guide passage (60) of said guide device (59). Said guiding device (59) comprises two guiding bodies (61) spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (R) with a gap (62) and at least one said guiding passage (60) is formed by two aligned guide holes (63), each said guide hole (63) of said common guide passage (60) being arranged in one of said two guide bodies (61) 7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 . The guide part (58) moves the guide passage (60) of the guide device (59) along a predetermined path (B) parallel to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (R). 8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7 , configured. 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the path (B) is a closed, at least partially curvilinear path (B). Said needle holding means such that at least one said needle (53) intersects the passage in its withdrawn position (IV) defined by path (B) and extending in longitudinal direction (R) or in its withdrawn position (III). 10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the part (52) is configured. There is a support (67) configured to move a support element (68) arranged in said working area (31) between a rest position (V) and a support position (VI), said support element ( 11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each 68) has a support opening (69) for each said end (26a) of said skein (26). 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least one said suction channel (37) in its initial position (I) extends through each one said support opening (69). At least one of said support openings (69) of said support part (68) extends up to a plane in which said needle holder (52) moves each assigned said needle (53) in said support position (VI). 13. Device according to claim 11 or 12 , characterized in that the distance and the distance to each assigned suction channel (37) in the working position (II) are substantially the same. a first cutting portion (73) is provided adjacent to said feed channel (28) and is adapted to cut said end (26a) of at least one said skein (26); 14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-13. A second cutting station (76) cuts a loop of said end (26a) of said skein (26) moving through said carrier member (21) by said at least one needle (53). 15. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged and configured to. a stock (25) with at least one skein (26), a skein conveyor (27) for at least one skein (26), at least one feed channel (28), and at least At least one suction channel (37), a suction portion (40) fluidly connected to said at least one suction channel (37), and at least one needle holding portion (52) disposed on the needle holding portion (52) and each comprising a needle hook (54). A method of manufacturing a carrier member (21) comprising a plurality of fiber bundles (22) using a device (20) comprising a single needle (53), comprising:
moving at least one said suction channel (37) to an initial position (I) in a working area (31) such that each said suction channel (37) is fluidly connected to a respective said supply channel (28); process and
At least one said suction by means of said suction portion (40) for suctioning the ends (26a) of said skeins (26) present in said supply channels (28) assigned by the support of an air flow (L). generating said airflow (L) in a channel (37);
at least a predetermined length of said end (26a) of said skein (26) into said suction channel (37) fluidly connected with said at least one supply channel (28); conveying by said bundle conveying part (27) through one said feeding channel (28);
At least one said suction channel (37) is moved from said working area (31) in a working position (II) remote from said supply channel (28) and said air flow (L) in said suction channel (37) is maintaining in said working position (II);
The ends (26a) of the skeins (26) exposed in the working area (31) in the working position (II) of the suction channel (37) and extending in the longitudinal direction (R) are connected to the needles of each needle. at least one said needle (53) between a retracted position (III) and a withdrawn position (IV) for engaging a hook (54) and being moved by said needle (53) through said carrier member (21); a step of moving with
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